Former Liberal city manager arrested

SEWARD COUNTY – The former city manager of Liberal, Russell “Rusty” Varnado, was arrested following a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) case.

The Liberal Police Department asked the KBI for assistance investigating in August when allegations arose. The crimes occurred between March and August of 2024, when Varnado was city manager. Following the allegations, Varnado was fired from his position.

On Nov. 19 at approximately 4 p.m., deputies of the Seward County Sheriff’s Office arrested Varnado, 37, on a KBI warrant for rape, sexual battery, and lewd and lascivious.

Varnado is accused of raping a woman in March. He is also accused of sexual battery for sexually touching another victim without her consent and exposing himself to her in an incident in August.

The bond was reduced from $250,000 to $100,000. His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Varnado was booked into the Seward County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.